Jumbo census from August 11

Priyanka Kurugala

A 1993 survey revealed that there are around 2,600 elephants in the country.

The Wildlife Department estimates that there are around 5,500 to 6,000 elephants in the country, Agrarian Services and Wildlife Minister S.M. Chandrasena said at a press conference.

He said it has been planned to hold an elephant census after 18 years from August 11 to minimize the human-elephant conflict.

The minister said elephants will be categorized based on their age and gender. Statistics will also be collected under various groups, such as, adult male, adult female, adolescent Juvenile and calf.

‘The Wildlife Department can play a major role in the tourism development drive. On the directions of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the ministry plans to introduce means of growing food for elephants living close to the National Parks,’ he said.

He said a number of officers will participate in this elephant census which will be conducted between August 11 and 14.

‘Sri Lanka’s forest cover which was around 41 percent in the 1930’s has now dwindled to 20 percent at present, which is the main cause for the human-elephant conflict,’ the minister said.

‘The ministry plans to set up electric fences around sanctuaries. They also plan to grow hedges,bushes, palm and citrus trees in the sanctuaries.